Suitability V. Security
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Taking Adverse Actions Based on Suitability or Security Issues Objectives • Discuss the various purposes for personnel investigations – HSPD-12 (PIV access) – Suitability/Fitness (character and conduct) – National Security/Access to classified information • Outline agency authorities and options for adjudication and the procedural requirements for action when issues arise • Discuss reciprocity policies and guidance 2 Purposes of Personnel Investigations • Requirement for access to Federal facilities and logical systems Eligibility for a Personal Identification Verification (PIV) card as mandated by HSPD-12 • Need to evaluate character and conduct of Government workers – Suitability determinations for positions covered by 5 CFR 731 – Continuous evaluation through reinvestigation of individuals in positions of public trust as required by E.O. 13488 3 Purposes of Personnel Investigations Need to evaluate character and conduct of Government workers – Eligibility and qualifications for excepted service or other positions not covered by 5 CFR 731 or National Security requirements – Fitness determinations for contractor employment per contractual requirements 4 Purposes of Personnel Investigations Protection of National Security – Eligibility for a National Security position under E.O. 10450 – Eligibility for a clearance to access classified information under E.O. 12968 – Continuous evaluation through reinvestigation of individuals holding clearances under E.O. 12968 5 PIV Card Requirements (Resulting from HSPD-12) • Mandatory, Governmentwide standard for a secure and reliable form of identification issued by the Federal Government for employees and contract employees – Physical access to Federally controlled facilities – Logical access to Federally controlled information systems • Requirements established in Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) publication 201-1 Completion and successful adjudication of National Agency Check with Written Inquiries investigation or other investigation as required for Federal employment 6 What is Suitability? “Suitability” refers to a person’s identifiable character traits and conduct sufficient to decide whether employment or continued employment would or would not protect the integrity or promote the efficiency of the service 7 Suitability Requirements • Code of Federal Regulations (5 CFR 731) establishes criteria and procedures for suitability investigations, determinations, and actions • Covered positions include only: – Competitive service positions – Career appointments in the Senior Executive Service – Excepted service positions that can be non-competitively converted to competitive service • Suitability investigations are conducted under this authority for all covered positions. Agency suitability actions under 5 CFR 731 are limited to applicants and appointees 8 Suitability Investigations • All covered positions require background investigations unless: – The person has already undergone an investigation; and – Is being appointed, converted, or transferred with one year of continuous service; and – Has been previously determined suitable or fit under criteria equivalent to 5 CFR 731 (adequate assurance of suitability for covered positions, as determined by OPM) • When the above conditions apply, investigation is still permitted when: – Position requires higher level of investigation – New information raises suitability questions 9 Suitability Risk Levels High Risk (HR) This image cannot currently be displayed. Public Trust Moderate Risk (MR) Low Risk (LR) Level of investigation depends on risk level of position 10 Suitability Reinvestigations • E.O. 13488 established authority to reinvestigate persons in positions of public trust • Issues developed in reinvestigations must be evaluated to determine whether or not the person’s continued employment promotes the efficiency of the service • However, agencies have no jurisdiction to take actions on employees (continuous service for more than a year) under 5 CFR 731. Any necessary action, must be taken under other agency authority (e.g., 5 CFR 752) 11 What is Fitness? “Fitness” refers to the level of character and conduct determined necessary for an individual to perform work for, or on behalf of, a Federal agency as an employee in the excepted service (other than in a position subject to suitability) or as a contractor employee • Excepted service positions are covered by 5 CFR 302 • Contracts should specify investigative and adjudicative requirements for contract employees 12 What is Security? “Security” refers to a reasonable expectation that the employment or continued employment of an individual would or would not be clearly consistent with the interests of National Security • Government workers in sensitive positions and/or requiring access or eligibility for access to classified material • National Security authorities include: Executive Order 10450; Executive Order 12968; Executive Order 13467; 5 CFR Part 732; and 5 U.S.C § 7532 • The security determination is a discretionary agency responsibility made in addition to and subsequent to the suitability or fitness determination 13 National Security Sensitivity Levels Special Sensitive This image cannot currently be displayed. National Critical Sensitive Security Non-Critical Sensitive Positions Non-sensitive Level of investigation depends on sensitivity level of position 14 Security Reinvestigations • E. O. 12968 establishes authority for reinvestigations of positions requiring eligibility for access to classified information • Issues developed in reinvestigations must be evaluated to determine whether or not continued access is in the best interest of National Security 15 Adjudications • HSPD 12 adjudication • Suitability adjudication under 5 CFR 731 • Fitness determinations that are equivalent to criteria in 5 CFR 731 • Security adjudication under E.O. 12968 • Other agency authorities 16 HSPD-12 Adjudication • 7/31/08 Final Credentialing Standards for Issuing PIV Cards under HSPD-12 issued by OPM • No PIV card may be granted if: – Known or reasonable suspicion of terrorism – Unable to verify identity – Fraudulent identity information submitted – Reasonable belief attempt will be made to gain unauthorized access to sensitive or protected information – Reasonable belief credential will be used unlawfully or inappropriately – Reasonable belief individual will use Federally-controlled information systems unlawfully, make unauthorized modifications, corrupt or destroy, or inappropriately use such systems 17 HSPD-12 Adjudication • Agencies may use Supplemental Credentialing Standards when position is not covered by other adjudicative criteria. These include reasonable basis to believe there is an unacceptable risk due to: – Misconduct or negligence in employment – Criminal or dishonest conduct – Material, intentional false statement, deception or fraud – Alcohol abuse without substantial rehabilitation – Illegal use of narcotics, drugs, or other controlled substances without substantial rehabilitation – Statutory or regulatory bar – Willful engagement in acts or activities designed to overthrow the U.S. Government by force • Equivalent to suitability factors in 5 CFR 731 18 Suitability Adjudication Under 5 CFR 731 OPM retains authority to Agencies have delegated adjudicate: authority to adjudicate: Covered applicants, Covered applicants and appointees and employees appointees, unless there is with evidence of material, evidence of material, intentional falsification, refusal intentional falsification or to furnish testimony, or cases refusal to furnish testimony in which Governmentwide Note: No prior approval is debarment is warranted needed, but notification to OPM is required, for actions taken by agencies under other authority (5 CFR 315, 5 CFR 359, or 5 CFR 752) 19 Agency Delegated Adjudicative Authority • Agencies may begin to determine an applicant’s suitability at any time during the hiring process • Agencies must refer cases warranting Governmentwide debarment to OPM • Agency authority is subject to revocation by OPM 20 Suitability Standards and Criteria 5 CFR 731.201 and 202 • A suitability action taken against an applicant, appointee, or employee will protect the integrity or promote the efficiency of the service • Suitability determinations must be based on the presence or absence of one or more specific factors (charges) • Only the eight specific factors outlined on the following slides are considered a basis for finding a person unsuitable and taking a suitability action 21 Specific Suitability Factors 1. Misconduct or negligence in employment • Inability to perform and other qualification issues are not suitability issues 2. Criminal or dishonest conduct • Financial irresponsibility is included only if dishonesty is established 22 Specific Suitability Factors 3. Material, intentional false statement, or deception or fraud in examination or appointment* • A “material” statement is one that is capable of influencing, affects, or has a natural tendency to affect an official decision, even if OPM or an agency does not rely upon it 4. Refusal to furnish testimony as required by 5 CFR 5.4* • Limited to testimony required by the Office of Personnel Management, Office of the Special Counsel, or Merit Systems Protection Board * Only OPM can cite this factor 23 Specific Suitability Factors 5. Alcohol abuse, without evidence of substantial rehabilitation, of a nature and duration that suggests that the applicant or appointee would be prevented from performing the duties